Qualitas Health has announced partnerships with Grupo Indukern and Gullspång Re:food, including new funding, as it prepares to launch an algae protein line in 2022.
Earlier this year, the food and nutrition company announced that it had secured $10 million in venture funds. Qualitas Health has now closed its Series A round funding at $12.5 million, following investments from chemicals business Grupo Indukern and food-tech investor Gullspång Re:food.
According to Qualitas Health, the new partnerships will provide its iwi brand with direct access to the investors’ facilities and teams, along with their expertise.
Qualitas Health cultivates the algae Nannochrolopsis to produce high-absorption omega-3. The company is also expanding its algae-derived offering into alternative protein and is looking to launch the new ingredient and products line next year.
The company’s partnerships with Grupo Indukern and Gullspång Re:food will focus on applications and opportunities for iwi algae protein, which is said to offer a full complement of essential amino acids.
Miguel Calatayud, CEO of Qualitas Health, said: “Grupo Indukern and Gullspång Re:food are the perfect partners for the current scaling stage. They bring know-how and expertise to iwi’s existing supplement business and wider recognition of our newly developed Nannochloropsis algae protein.
“They also provide a global vision, a distribution platform for Europe and other countries and regions, and unique expertise in plant-based proteins and finished products. Their knowledge, skilled technological team, and advanced technologies will help in conducting clinical research and accelerate the regulatory process for Europe.”
Peter Odemark, a Gullspång Re:food managing partner, added: “Qualitas has a great story to tell. Its algae is cultivated in impressive pond systems built on nonarable land in the desert, places minimal footprint on the natural ecosystem, harnessing natural sun power for energy and utilising saltwater, while creating jobs in rural communities.”
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